Avengers Arena #16Review

Now we’re getting somewhere! As Avengers Arena nears the end of Boss Level -- just two more to go after this! -- all of the pieces are starting to click into place. With a pair of contestants inside Arcade’s headquarters, we get more secrets revealed, and with the proverbial clock about to strike midnight, we get more desperation than ever before. I will admit that this isn’t the most well-executed issue of this series, but it’s an immensely satisfying one.

The main problem I have with this chapter is that the teens have thrown their reasoning to the wind and begun an all-out brawl. Seeing how Dennis Hopeless has crafted everyone into such three-dimensional, logical, resourceful characters, it just doesn’t feel right. It’s fighting for the sake of fighting, which is something this series has thus far avoided, so it’s a bit disappointing to see it go this route without proper build up. But amongst the chaos, characters like Nico and Bloodstone have some great moments that save some face for the series.

Kev Walker is again absent. Why can’t we get more consecutive issues out of this guy? He’s one of the best artists working today and the main draw of this series. Artist Karl Moline does a fine job filling in with a style that is in line with Walker’s, but it’s not as good as the real thing. To be fair, Moline has some excellent layouts and paneling that pick up as the momentum of the story reaches its surprise conclusion. Two more!

Joshua writes for IGN. He wishes his Comics Editor Joey Esposito the best as he ABANDONS US FOREVER! If you feel the same, let Joshua know on Twitter and IGN.

Avengers Arena #16

THE FINAL BATTLES BEGIN! Up on Murder World Island, it's the surviving contestants in an all-out battle royale! Down in Arcade's lair, it's two other contestants vs. Arcade!